The October 2 ceremony was the screen star’s first first public appearance since her wedding with fellow actorJi Sung last week. And while husband Ji Sung is busy filming on set of Secret, she didn’t have to go it alone — co-star Lee Jong Suk escorted her on the red carpet.

“2013 has been a lucky year for me,” she said at the Gyeongnam Culture & Arts Center in the city of Jinju. “Just being able to play two characters that I loved the most was in itself a blessing. As such when the drama ended I was really saddened and I didn’t want to let go. It’s been a year I’ll never forget. I’m grateful that beyond my own efforts, all my viewers appreciated my work too.”

The award-winning actress also spoke of how she felt blessed and hopes her good fortune continues, but now in perhaps “a more synergetic way” since she’s now married to an actor. She laughed: “Well, winning the Korea Drama Awards today looks like a good start.”